Small Business Guide to Selecting Air Pollution Control Equipment

This guide is intended to serve as a practical guide for small and medium-sized enterprises in purchasing equipment to treat exhaust gas. It includes analysis of the types of exhaust gas, key points in choosing equipment, and suggestions for budget planning.By understanding the key factors in choosing exhaust gas treatment equipment and the techniques in budgeting for environmental equipment, businesses can achieve effective, compliant exhaust gas treatment solutions.

The first thing to do is find out what kind of waste gas is being emitted.

Don't be in a hurry to order equipment. First you have to know exactly what pollutants your factory is putting out.If it is a paint factory, the main problem is volatile organic compounds (VOCs); if it is a metal processing plant, dust and acidic gases may be the main headaches.

The three steps of emission analysis.

1. Check production processes: List all the chemical substances used and the reactions involved in the production process.

2. Conduct a test report: Find a professional agency to test the components of the gas at the emission port; don't just guess based on experience.

Compare with emission standards: Compare the test results with the local environmental protection agency's limits.

Three golden rules for buying equipment.

After seeing too many businesses waste money on the wrong equipment, I learned to remember these three principles to avoid making the same mistakes.

The processing efficiency must be just right.

There is no need to blindly pursue 99 % efficiency. Some low-concentration emissions can be treated to the required standard with activated carbon.First calculate the amount of your emissions, and then when you choose equipment, leave a 10-15 % margin of safety.

Maintenance costs are more important than the initial price.

One food factory, seeking to save money, bought used equipment. As a result, it had to spend NT $ 8,000 a month on replacement filters.The key is to look at the frequency of replacement of consumables and the consumption of electricity, which are hidden costs.

Don't forget the space limitations.

One boss bought a catalytic combustion device from a company with a high reputation, only to find that his factory was not tall enough to accommodate it.You have to make sure you have enough room for installation, and also calculate the weight of the roof.

Budgeting and planning.

This is the most important part for small businesses, so let's get right to the meat of it.

Initial investment allocation.

- 60 % of the budget is for equipment purchase.

- 15 % for installation and testing.

- 10 % for monitoring systems.

- 15 % for emergency funds.

Long-term cost-saving tips.

1. Choose modular equipment to facilitate expansion in the future.

2. Joining with nearby companies to buy materials in bulk.

3. Apply for subsidies for green manufacturing.

Common questions answered.

How long before it becomes obsolete?

The mainstream equipment can last five to eight years, but the key is annual maintenance.There is an RTO in a chemical factory that has been running for seven years. The secret is to change the seals on a regular basis.

What do we do when the results get worse and worse?

The first thing to check is the pre-treatment stage, where 80 % of the problems arise from blockages in the filters.One time, the equipment at a printing factory broke down, and the problem turned out to be simply that the dust filter bags needed to be replaced.

How do I know whether a supplier is trustworthy?

If you want a success story, it's best to go and see for yourself.Last year a supplier made all sorts of claims, but when the customer went to the factory to see the samples, he discovered that the equipment wasn't even turned on.